Business English Exams (BEC Preliminary, Vantage, Higher)

In addition to general English exams, ILC exam centre offers CambridgeEnglish : BusinessCertificates, more commonly known as BEC (Business English Certificate).

This exam group not only lets you confirm your language level, but will also let your employer know that you have sufficient English for daily use in the business environment.

You will never have to pass the exam for the second time - your certificate will always be recognized by companies and educational institutions as the undisputed confirmation of internationally recognized language proficiency standards.

The BEC exam is suitable for candidates who work or intend to work in the business sector, including marketing, manufacturing, financial services and general work in the office.

The BEC exam is divided into the following levels:

BEC Preliminary - corresponds to level B1

BEC Vantage - corresponds to level B2

BEC Higher - corresponds to C1

B1 Business Preliminary

BEC Preliminary

Price

UAH 2600

This exam is designed for candidates who speak English at Intermediate level and are preparing for a career in business. This exam is equivalent to the PET exam and corresponds to level B1 according to the Council of Europe scale.

The BEC Preliminary certificate proves to employers that you can use business English at Intermediate level and as such posess a sufficient English level for daily use in the business environment.

If you get an "A" grade for BEC Preliminary, you will receive a BEC Vantage certificate attesting your language proficiency at level B2

Exam format

The BEC exam consists of three parts that test four linguistic skills (reading and writing, listening, interviewing).

Reading:

• Duration - 1.5 hours

• 7 tasks for reading

• 2 letter assignments

Audition:

• Duration - about 30 minutes

• 4 tasks, in each part you need to listen to text or texts and answer questions

• Each part is listened to twice

Interview:

• Duration 12 minutes

• Couple with another candidate

• 3 parts

• two examiners: one is talking to you, the other is listening; both are giving grades.

If you get "A" grade for this test, you will receive a BEC Higher certificate, which will certify your language proficiency at the C1 level. Even if you fail to successfully pass the BEC Vantage exam, you can get a BEC Preliminary Certificate, which certifies your language proficiency at level B1.

Exam format

The CPE exam consists of four parts that test four linguistic skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

Reading:

• duration is 1 hour

• 5 tasks

Writing:

• Duration - 45 minutes

• 2 tasks

Audition:

• Duration - about 40 minutes

• 3 tasks

• Each tasks is listened to twice

Interview:

• duration - 14 minutes

• In pair with another candidate

• 3 parts

• two examiners: one is talking to you, the other is listening; both are giving grades

BEC Higher is designed for candidates who speak English at the advanced level and work or are going to work in the business sphere. This exam is equivalent to the CAE exam and the C1 level according to the Council of Europe scale.

Level C1 is necessary for professional and academic needs and demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively at the professional level, take an active part in workshops and presentations, freely express opinions and navigate different cultural and social situations.

If you haven't started your career yet, the BEC Higher Certificate is the best way to demonstrate to universities and colleges that you can study at any business-related course.

If you get "A" grade, you will receive a C2-level certificate. Even if you fail to successfully pass the BEC Higher exam, you can get a BEC Vantage certificate that corresponds to B2 level.

Exam format

The CPE exam consists of four parts that test four linguistic skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

Reading:

• Duration - 1 hour

• 6 tasks

Writing:

• Duration - 1 hour 10 minutes

• 2 tasks

Audition:

• Duration - about 40 minutes

• 3 tasks

• Each task is listened to twice

Interview:

• Duration - 16 minutes

• In pair with another candidate

• 3 parts

• two examiners: one is talking to you, the other is listening; both are giving grades